Panthers were knocked out by The Entrance Tigers in their quarter-final clash, following on from one win, one draw and two losses earlier in the competition for the Bathurst men.

The Panthers were 16-all at one stage against the Tigers before their Central Coast opponents ran away late in the match to win 28-16.

Panthers were joined by fellow Group 10 clubs Mudgee Dragons and Orange Hawks, while Group 11 clubs Dubbo Westside and Macquarie were also taking part.

It was an all-Newcastle final as travelling sides Macquarie and Kurri Kurri faced off for the title.

The prize match, worth $5,000, started with the Bulldogs’ Ben Wyborn and the Scorpions’ Andrew Sumner both getting over the white line to make it 4-all, before Randall Briggs broke the stalemate just before half-time, with the kick converted.

Leading 10-4 into the second half, Macquarie proved why their defence was one of the most lauded of the tournament, keeping out a series of kick-chases that the Bulldogs tried to force down the wing.

Five-eighth Matt Simon closed out the competition with one more for the Scorpions, pushing the scoreline out to 14-4 and securing the Mudgee 9s tournament for the Macquarie team.

Macquarie Scorpion’s Dave Woods was named the commentator’s Player of the Tournament.

All travelling sides were impressed with the tournament and reached out to thank the Mudgee Dragons for hosting the second annual fixture.

The Dragons were the only team form either Group 10 or 11 to make it into the tournament’s semi-finals.